103 



on the ruins of error. Even in England, where science 

 and the arts had not made such advances as in other 

 places, the minds of men began to be opened ; they learned 

 to enquire and reason.* The scandalous lives of the monks 

 became the topic of invective, among the popular preaeh>- 

 ers, and rude satirists of the time. The same subject was 

 mentioned, in that parliament, at the close of the reign of 

 Edward III., which shewed such a disposition for innova- 

 tion, under the pretext of reforming abus;es^. The idea was 

 there started, and even discussed, of throwing aside the 

 yoke of Rome. From the Arabians, the Italians imbibed 

 their knowledge of the Aristotelian philosophy, and the 

 spirit of free enquiry. This led, not only to an examina- 

 tion of abuses, and the detection of error, but even to 

 scepticism and infidelity; which early appeared, in the 

 writings of Cecco d'Ascoli, and Brunetto Latiui, friends 

 and intimates of Dante.-f In England, Wickliff began to 

 preach against the prevailing superstitions. The King, the 

 Princess of AFales, and several of the greatest personages 



of 



.* Betrarca, and Richard of Bury, preceptor of Edward III. were the means 

 of preserving some of the choicest remains of antiquity. Petrarca received 

 the crown of laurel at Rome, April 8th, 1341. Two embassies came to hitn 

 the same day, to offei; him the crown ; one from the university of Paris, ti^e 

 other from the senate of Rome. Robert, king of Naples, tiie most learned 

 prince of his Imie, was appointed to examine the pretensions of Petrarch, who 

 repaired to Naples for the purpose, and was received by the king with tlie 

 utmost kindness. 



t About thip time was produced the book of the three impostors, IVIoses, 

 .i^^ojn(vet, J,. C., ascribed to Petrus de Vincis, n^entioncd by Dante, Inf. Can. l?. 



